The main bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, is gearing up to witness electrifying moments of end-to-end football tactics tomorrow when Ughelli Rovers Football Club takes on OYC Football Club, in what is expected to be a must-win match for both sides.
This will be the second meeting between the two teams, with the Eguono V’Owvian Boys, seeing out a scoreless draw from their thrilling tie last season with the Warri-based club side.
As they both prepare to lock horns, the match is more than just a battle for points rather a chance for either sides to reassert their positions in this campaign.
While the Ughelli-based outfit are in preparedness to beat the odds and solidify their chance for promotion in the New Year Mega Lottery Nationwide League Division One (NLO) Division One 2025 Season Zonal Playoffs.
Coming off a hard-fought 1-0 defeat in the Oil City Derby against Isoko United, Ughelli Rovers FC are eagerly looking forward to turn the hands of time to their favour and reclaim their momentum.
The shocking loss to their rivals, may have somewhat destabilize their current form having last lost 0-1 to Grass Runners Football Club in the Asaba Super Cup 2025 Final.
Assistant Coach of Ughelli Rovers, Davidson Otega, speaking at a pre-match press conference with Platinum News, expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to deliver and execute game plans precisely in tomorrow’s showdown.
He highlighted the need to take up the game with high intensity from the first kick of the match down to the last streak of seconds.
“The boys are hungry for redemption after the derby. We know what’s at stake against OYC. However, it’s not going to be a walk in the park for us.
“Even though, our first encounter ended in a goalless stalemate last season. We hope to also get it right this time around and we’re ready to fight for the three points,” the gaffer emphasized.
OYC Football Club, however, known for their resilient defending and quick counterattacks, are coming into the match with their own ambitions to upset Rovers’ plans.
Their previous encounter last season was a neck-and-neck contest, even with Rovers taking a bold step to stop OYC FC but thanks to bunch of missed opportunities from both sides.
Though, the local derby loss to Isoko United exposed some ineptitudes in the Rovers’ attack, which the Technical Adviser, Olaogbebikan Ganiyu, has been working to address in training.
“We’ve tightened our defense and worked on our finishing. The boys know this is a defining moment in our season.
“A win could not only boost team morale but also cement our position in the uppermost of the league table, keeping our promotion hopes alive,” he stated.
As the Eguono V’Ovwian Boys prepare to take the pitch, all eyes will be on whether they can add to their tally on the center standings, with three points from two games; a win and a defeat each.
Action is set for 10am, and fans across Delta State and the country at large can stream the match live for free via the Ughelli Rovers FC official YouTube channel.